Josh Duhamel, Leslie Bibb and Nora Dunn’s latest movie The Lost Husbandis a film I enjoyed a little more than I expected to.

Directed by Vicky Wight, it follows Libby (Bibb), a newly single mother trying to put her life back together after her husband dies. She starts by moving, along with her two children, to her no-nonsense aunt’s goat farm in central Texas.

What stood out immediately for me was the pleasant musical score. Then I noticed the even pacing, and the way the film isn’t quite as clichéd as the Hallmark movies you may or may not have seen (wink, wink). This story is just a little bit more complicated, for one thing.

I was in the mood for something easy and a little romantic, which is why I chose The Lost Husband. The trailer also made me want to see Libby work through her grief so she could get back to enjoying life.

As Libby met the colourful townsfolk and learned more about farm life, mostly from Duhamel’s character, James, it became clear she was going to be all right. That’s when I started wishing I had an aunt with a farm… until I remembered my irrational fear of earthworms, bugs, and most other animals.

The only thing I wish had been handled differently is a specific cliché involving a group of jealous, unpleasant women at the town market. The writing and acting in that scene stood out for the wrong reasons. Still, if you’re intrigued, give The Lost Husband a chance, especially when you’re in the mood for an easy-viewing film session.

And, of course, there’s the simple pleasure of Josh Duhamel in a cowboy hat. You know… in case watching Libby get her life back on track and the idea of a virtual farm escape don’t quite do it for you.

Happy Film Loving,

G